[Boatanchors] Chippewa Front Panel and Meter

[Paul Monroe]

Hello,

I hope everyone had a very pleasant Christmas holiday. Here are the results 
of the front panel cleaning.

1. Simple Green did a first rate job. It got all the nicotine off with about 
a 10 minute soak. The panel was rinsed well with tap water and dried 
thoroughly. Of course, the panel had been removed from the amplifier. This 
is a very easy job with the Chippewa.

2. The permanent marker was not so easy to remove. Naptha did not bother the 
finish, but it didn't work too well. However, 91% Isopropyl alcohol really 
made a dent in the marks. Apparently the solvent used in the permanent 
marker dissolves a very thin layer of the original enamel on the front 
panel. The swelling of the paint is very visible under low (2.5X) 
magnification. Polishing the area with "Blue Magic" rubbing compound 
followed by a re-application of the Isopropyl really took out most of what 
was left.  The applied numbers are now just a faint ghost of what they were. 
You have to look hard to see them.

3. One of the marks on the front panel was made with a blue permanent 
marker. That marker will not come out. It might come out with acetone, but a 
test on the back of the panel where there was some overspray showed that 
acetone also dissolves the panel finish, so that's a no go.

4. The meter zero adjust screw is made of a hard plastic. No problem with 
arc over.

Now all that remains is to remove any undocumented "improvements" and 
restore the electronics to their original form.

Once again, thanks to everyone for their helpful suggestions.

73,

Paul Monroe, W9MEH